Choose the Best Carbs Available
By Tom Herrin
One of the biggest problems that many of us have with our diets is making choices. In order to make the best ones possible, we need to know all we can about the foods we eat. Many of the diets programs available today focus on cutting carbs. This is for good reason as taking in too many carbs can be trouble for any of us. The other side of it is that carbs have their place in our diets. Taking in the right amount of the right carbs can help us to enjoy good health because we need them as a source of energy. It may help if we understand a little about the kinds of carbs we take in.
Simple Carbs May Need to Be Limited
When we refer to simple carbs, we are generally referring to straight sugar, or something similar. These are the carbs that are easiest for our bodies to turn into something that can be burned quickly. Some people drink sugary drinks believing they can give them a boost. It may be partly true, but these are also considered to be empty carbs. In other words, they have little or no nutritional value. Whether or not they actually provide real quick energy is somewhat debatable as well. According to one study, they actually contribute to a sugar low that occurs a little while after we take in the simple carbs, so the effect may be a little bit of an illusion.
Complex Carbs Are Real Food
Our needs are met much better when we take in complex carbs. The name itself is given because they require a longer process of being broken down in the body in order to be used for energy. This means that they are better able to provide sustained energy. What we consume earlier in the day may be able to last us longer. Some of the best of these are green and yellow vegetables. We have all heard we should eat more of them, and it is pretty much true.
Be Careful With Juices
A lot of us drink juice in the morning. It can provide quite a few vitamins and minerals. The bad part is that some juices also have added sugar. If this is the case, you may want to consider eating pieces of whole fruit instead. That could give you the same amount of vitamins and minerals, and maybe more fiber, without the extra sugar. Keep some good carbs in your diet. Just be careful.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Hoboken, N.J.